More and more students are choosing West Virginia University to further their education.

Enrollment is expected to reach 26,000 students this fallthe largest number of students ever enrolled in the history of WVU , President David C. Hardesty Jr. announced Thursday (Aug. 18) during a briefing in the Downtown Library Complex atrium.

Facility improvements, WVU s unique first-year student experience, growth in research funding and other University initiatives also were discussed.

The 26,000 enrollment projection represents an increase of about 800 students from last years record enrollment of 25,255, the president noted.

While our numbers wont be official until later this fall, theres no doubt our total enrollment will break a new record for the fourth consecutive year,Hardesty said.

He attributed the consistent rise in enrollment to the Universitys reputation and prominence on the national scene.

We are a caring University and community. Students tell us they fit in hereand excel in their academic pursuitsmany of which are among the best in the country,Hardesty said.

Our nationally and internationally recognized faculty members serve as mentors, coaches and advisers to our students, and help them find internships and promising jobs in their fields of study,he added.

Further, Hardesty commented, WVU remains a student-centered campus andalong with the City of Morgantownoffers a safe place that students refer to ashome.

WVU and Morgantown are places where students make lifelong friends, meet mentors and teachers who change their lives, and learn to embrace the pride that comes with being a Mountaineer,he added.We truly believe we have one of the top student experiences in the country.

As part of that 26,000 enrollment figure, Hardesty said he expects around 4,600 of them to be freshmenanother record for the University, topping last years freshmen count of 4,359.

These students are coming to WVU from every county in West Virginia, all 50 states, the District of Columbia and approximately 80 other nations,Hardesty said.We are truly a diverse and international university community.

Large numbers of students are also coming from neighboring states like Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey and Virginia, Hardesty said, noting that nearly 7,400 students are attending WVU from these four states combined.

And, for the fourth consecutive year, enrollment is projected to top 1,300 students at Potomac State College of WVU , Hardesty explained. Enrollment of new freshmen at the Keyser campus is expected to increase from 451 to 460 students. Most of this growth appears to be in West Virginia residents, with 321 new in-state freshmena 12 percent climb from this time last year, he said.

Combined enrollment at all WVU campuses ( Morgantown, Keyser, Parkersburg, Charleston, Martinsburg and Montgomery) is projected at 33,800.

Hardesty also welcomed some 1,200 new PROMISE Scholars to WVU this fall. Another 3,000 PROMISE scholars are returning to campus for their sophomore, junior and senior years, putting the total number of PROMISE scholars attending WVU at 4,200the most of any college or university in West Virginia, he added.

This fall marks the first time a full contingency of scholarsfrom freshmen to seniorsare attending West Virginias higher education institutions,Hardesty explained, while introducing senior Kelley Burd from Bristol, a four-year PROMISE Scholar majoring in international studies and history.

* Facility Improvements *

Regarding facilities, Hardesty said students will have the chance to enjoy their first night on campus at the refurbished Mountainlair Plaza when several popular bands take to the stage for the annul FallFest back-to-school concert. This years entertainment includes O.A.R. and three other popular rock and hip hop bands.

Closed for a year while undergoing $7 million in renovations that included repairs to the garage below, the outdoor venue now sports a fresh artificial playing surface, a basketball court, terraced walkways, increased lighting, and new tables and seating.

Its a good feeling to have it open and ready for not only the fall semester, but for a great FallFest concert taking place Monday evening,Hardesty said.We expect over 15,000 students on the plaza that night enjoying the entertainment.

Meanwhile, construction continues on a $9.5 million plant pathology addition to the Agricultural Sciences Building and WVU will soon break ground on its first new residence hall in almost 40 years, Hardesty said. Both projects are on the Evansdale campus.

On the Downtown Campus, WVU has converted one of its residence halls into a home for international students and is about to embark on a two-year project to renovate Oglebay, Brooks and Colson halls and improve underground utility lines, he added.

* First-year Experience *

With another record freshman class, Hardesty said the University is enhancing its first-year experienceprograms designed to make the transition from high school to college a smooth one.

WVU may just have one of the best first-year student experiences among the nations major, public research universities,he claimed.

The first-year experience begins when students first arrive on campus. This starts tomorrow (Aug. 19) with move-in days when upperclassmen help freshmen get situated and continues throughout Welcome Week, seven days of activities aimed at getting students started on the right foot.

New Student Convocation on Sunday at the Creative Arts Center signals the beginning of academic life and learning.

Other aspects of the first-year experience include Resident Faculty Leaders, faculty members who live near residence halls and serve as mentors; University 101, acrash coursein college life; the WVU Honors Program, boasting a record 400 first-year freshmen this year; Up All Night, a weekend program in the Mountainlair; FanFest, a pep rally in front of the Mountainlair at 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9, before the first home football game; Mountaineer Parents Club, a national organization connecting some 13,000 families to the WVU student experience; and Adventure West Virginia, which has introduced nearly 400 new students to kayaking, rock-climbing and canoeing since the program started in 2003.

Led by WVU staff, the popular academic adventure trips combine wilderness challenges with sessions about alcohol education, making healthy choices and other topics related to college life.

WVU Student Life officials will again maintain a Student Infoline.

Students can dial 293-5555 to find answers to a variety of questions about classes, housing, transportation, directions or even personal concerns.

Parents have a similar helpline through the Mountaineer Parents Club: 1-800-WVU-0096.

* Record Research *

Along with record enrollment, Hardesty noted that WVU established an all-time high in funding for research and sponsored programs this past year, receiving $150.6 million from federal, state, industry and private sourcesup from $140.3 million in fiscal year 2004.

The 7 percent increase represents the highest amount of funding from external sources in the history of the University.

The total also represents an $86 millionor 134 percentincrease in funding levels since 1995, he noted, and the seventh consecutive year of research funding growth.

WVU is recognized by the Carnegie Foundation as a Doctoral/Research University-Extensive, placing it among the top 154 research universities in the

countryand the only one in West Virginia.

This ranking recognizes the achievements of our faculty and improves their competitiveness in obtaining federal research dollars,Hardesty said.It also lifts the worth of degrees for our graduates and alumni.

Hardesty closed by sayingits a great time to be a Mountaineer.

Im still as excited as I was 10 years ago at this time when I came to WVU as president,he said.With another record student enrollment projected, quality academic programs in place and exciting student life initiatives, Im looking forward to another great year.